The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 23 to extend a countywide moratorium on accepting applications to construct large-scale or utility-scale solar energy systems.

The extension, adopted as Ordinance No. 320b, suspends processing of new applications until March 31, 2026, or until the board adopts a new zoning ordinance governing utility-scale solar projects, whichever comes first. The board held a public hearing as part of the required process; no members of the public offered substantive comments during the hearing.

Planning and Zoning staff had recommended a three-month extension to allow more time for drafting a permanent ordinance. The ordinance text as read into the record references findings and conclusions from the county’s earlier actions (Ordinance No. 320a) and Planning and Zoning’s resolution that informed the initial moratorium.

Supervisor Stecker moved to approve the first reading; after a separate motion to suspend the usual requirement to consider an ordinance at three separate meetings, the board advanced to third and final reading and voted to adopt the extension. The roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript show unanimous “yes” votes by supervisors present for each procedural step.

The ordinance states that if any section is adjudged invalid, remaining provisions will remain in effect, and that the ordinance becomes effective after final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law. The board stated the extension is intended to give staff, the planning commission and the board time to draft and vet a new permanent ordinance that reflects the county’s land-use goals and technical considerations for large-scale solar development.

Next steps include continued work with Planning and Zoning staff, drafting the permanent ordinance language, and further public hearings before any applications are accepted again.